strategies for success with recruiting and retaining ... · success with recruiting and retaining...
TRANSCRIPT
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Objectives: • Why do people volunteer? • Laying the groundwork for
a solid volunteer program • Finding volunteers • Getting volunteers to come
back • Success stories!
Photo by Valerie Thomas
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Why do people volunteer? • They were asked • Want to make a difference • Feel needed and appreciated • It’s fun!
• Participate with friends/family
• Meet/network with like-minded people
• Learn something • Fulfill requirement • Build resume
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Why don’t people volunteer? • Weren’t asked • Aren’t bird experts…or even birders • Don’t have enough time • Don’t know how to get involved • Can’t get to the volunteer site • Their skills/time did not seem needed or appreciated • They lack interest/enthusiasm for the cause • They don’t know about your organization • They have a poor image of your organization
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Do we LOVE and BELIEVE in what we do?
• Organizational vision shared by all leaders
• Crystal clear and compelling cause that will INSPIRE others
• Promoted with passion and confidence
• Each leader is a positive ambassador for the organization
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Research
• Learn the latest volunteering trends, recruiting techniques and tools
• Interview leaders of organizations with successful volunteer programs
• Obtain outside opinions/first impressions of your organization from a variety of audiences
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Be open-minded
• Listen more than you talk • Don’t take things personally • Respectfully consider inside and outside opinions
and ideas • Be open to seeing things from different perspectives
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Evaluate & Redesign
• Conservation projects • Educational programming • Communications • Marketing • Outreach • Volunteer program
Photo by Mary Anne Romito
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Remove BARRIERS Identify Clarify Address EXAMPLE 1 Barrier: “I don’t have enough time.” Clarify: Not clear on much time is required for the role/task Address: Rewrite description, e.g., “1 hour a week throughout the summer; on your own schedule”
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Remove BARRIERS
EXAMPLE 2 Barrier: “I don’t have enough time.” Clarify: The opportunities are always on Saturday mornings, and that’s not the best time for the target audience (e.g., millennials). Address: Offer a variety of opportunities at different times and days; and/or offer the incentive of free light breakfast/coffee/snacks
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Organization Needs & Volunteer Job Descriptions
• Category of need (communications, marketing, education, conservation, leadership, etc.)
• Description • Frequency/time
commitment • Types of volunteers
needed (i.e., skills)
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Remember: Why do people volunteer?
• They were asked • Want to make a difference • Feel needed and appreciated • It’s fun! • Participate with friends/family • Meet/network with like-minded
people • Learn something • Fulfill requirement • Build resume
Courtesy of Stella Miller
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Thanking
• When they sign up to volunteer
• When you remind them about their commitment
• When they show up • While they are volunteering
(a couple of times) • When they are leaving • After the activity
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Make Them Feel Part of the Team
• Offer group training opportunities
• Name badges and logo apparel
• Special place for them at Center
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Stay Connected
• Obtain their full contact information (or at least email/phone) – make sure you can read it!
• Have them indicate how best to contact (phone, text, email)
• Let them know about upcoming events (and have them sign up before they leave!) – including non-volunteer events
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Recognize
• Various levels of achievement (can be award, gift, and/or name recognition)
• National or Regional Awards
– Meritorious Service – Presidential – Great Egret – Callison
• Publicizing
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Build the Relationship
• It’s not all work and no play! • Get to know them as people • Network with one another • Opportunity to recognize
service